EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Posted April 23, 2008

Working at The Philadelphia School

The Philadelphia School is a vibrant and challenging place to work. Our teaching and administrative staff are a close community of educators with varied interests that find expression inside and outside the classrooms; we are athletes, environmentalists, actors, storytellers, musicians, naturalists, artists, writers, and avid readers, to list a few passions. Because we are a relatively small school community, it is possible to know everyone—children as well as adults. We organize ourselves into four divisions or units (Preschool, Primary Unit, Junior Unit, and Middle School) and teaching teams within these units; our child-centered, progressive philosophy encourages classrooms filled with discovery-based, hands-on learning experiences. Opportunities for professional growth and development, both institutional and individual, are available and encouraged as teachers continue to refine their craft and grow in the profession. Our children’s parents are respected as essential partners in making our school a place in which many kinds of learners can thrive.

OPENING for the 2008 – 2009 Academic Year -– Director of Finance and Operations
(start date July)

Position description:
The Philadelphia School seeks a dynamic and experienced business leader with superb financial and management skills to fill the key position of Director of Finance & Operations (Director).  Reporting to the Head of School (Head) and the Board of Trustees (Board), the Director is responsible for organizing, implementing, and managing the business and operations of the school.  Responsibilities include day-to-day accounting, financial statements preparation, budgeting and planning, purchasing, risk management, the oversight of financing and investment activity, and the management of facilities and security.

The Director will report to the Head, manage an office of one direct report and the facilities team, oversee an operating budget of approximately $7 million for the coming 2008/2009 school year, facilities in excess of $4 million, and endowment and board-designated reserves of approximately $6 million.  The position requires interaction and teamwork with the Head, faculty, staff, students, parents, and the board.

The successful candidate should be a strategic and critical business thinker and have an understanding of and commitment to the central mission of a progressive independent school.  He or she requires a record of successful managerial leadership, the ability to direct and execute the functions of a business office, seasoned accounting knowledge, experience in a broad range of finance and investing matters, and a proven ability to communicate with all constituencies inside and outside of the school.

Primary responsibilities include:

• The day-to-day operation of the Business Office, including payroll, benefits administration, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accounting functions. 
• The management of the Business Office Assistant.
• The development, administration, and reporting of the operating budget and financial statements to the school’s board, auditor, federal, state, and local authorities, lenders, donors, faculty, and school administrative offices.
• The oversight of the endowment and quasi-endowment funds: executing investment and spending policy, implementing the decisions of the Finance Committee, and coordinating with consultants, investment managers, and custodians to ensure effective allocations, performance, and reporting.
• The coordination of agendas and meeting materials for the Finance, Benefits, Safety, and Building committees.
• The oversight of risk management. The collaboration with the school’s counsel and insurance agents regarding all legal and risk management matters.  Function as chair of the school safety committee.
• The oversight of the physical plant, grounds, and construction functions, including the financial management of and proper accounting for construction and other capital activities.  The management of the facilities staff and representation of facilities with Head, Board, and Building committees.
• The generation of employee contracts, performance and collection of all required background screens on new employees, and maintenance of personnel files.
• Participation on the school’s Financial Aid Committee, including performance of this region’s cost of living adjustments to and input of financial information for financial aid applicants into the school’s database, plus helping to determine the amount of awards to be given to each student.
• Working closely with all after-school program directors regarding administrative, financial, and safety aspects of those programs.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of leadership in a non-profit business office, preferably including direct experience in an independent school, college or university setting.
• A strong financial background in non-profit/fund accounting, an understanding of investment and risk management, facilities management, and business office functions.  An undergraduate degree in accounting or finance required, and an MBA or CPA highly prized.
• Experience with Senior Systems Accounting Software preferred, but not required.
• A high level of integrity and an extraordinary work ethic.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.  Confidence to interact with all levels of the school community, including experience serving a Board of Trustees.  Proven negotiation skills for the development of contracts with external vendors.
• Creativity, a positive outlook, pro-active orientation, coupled with the ability to act as a team player while motivating, developing, and leading existing staff and direct reports.
• A strong commitment to education and the importance of the learning process. 

Benefits:

The Philadelphia School offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, competitive salaries and a generous benefits package including a retirement plan, paid vacations and medical insurance.  

The Philadelphia School is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

Contact Information

To explore this superb career opportunity on a highly confidential basis please contact:

Amy Purcell Vorenberg, Head of School
The Philadelphia School
2501 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA  19146
avorenberg@tpschool.org